Visualization

[jdrakey]

Visualization:

In our dojo, the practice starts (after the formalities) by us being in a circle and practicing different suburi.

We start with O'suburi: starts all the way back to the vertical smile, back above the head and swing down in front of our toes. Then go on to Sho-Men strikes, Kote strikes etc.  Then comes the Hayasuburi. This is aerobic and only strikes going forward while the others are done with hits to the target going in either direction.

All very good and provides beneficial training.

Next we break for a bit and then switch from Bokken to Shinai. Usually we get in two lines facing each other and use the Shinai to hit each other's Shinai positioned for different targets.  Men, Kote and Do.

Break a bit again and then we may put on armor and do additional practice including Kirikaeshi and Keiko (sparring).

Visualize What?

Here's the thing. What I see is a tendency to practice at each of these stages differently. The most intense and focused is at the end when the armor is worn. The person is worried about losing and getting hit/hurt. Ok. Granted. Sport form of swordsmanship so competition is a factor. Also if the other person uses too much power or is inaccurate, it can smart.

Here's what you should remember. The sport aspect is really an artifact of creating a method to decide who won the engagement. However comma. This is still a martial art. “DO” is on the end and therefore we are tasked with aspects not seen in other “sports”?  Can you imagine a bases loaded home run not counting because the player didn't KIAI when he hit the ball?  Does the touch down in football become null and void because the players posture wasn't a nice and straight run but instead a plop over the goal line?  Does the boxer who executes a knock out bunch not realize the win of the match since the other side hit him at the same time? NO. I don't think so.  In Kendo we are tasked with having to maintain KI-KEN-TAI. The KI is our spirit, the KEN is our sword and TAI is our body. All three have to be IN SYNC when we make our strikes.

If you face your opponent with the attitude that he's going to kill you and take it seriously your Kendo will improve immensely. Think if I let this person through, they'll kill my family. Don't let them hit you. In a real engagement this hit would constitute a CUT on your person if not in armor. This is not a very tenable for a being that is a walking bag of water. This doesn't mean go after them in a blood lust either. Stay quiet and focused.

So, you make this transition. And focus more seriously on your opponent. Are you done? Is that it? Will my Kendo get better? In order [NO, NO, Probably].

But don't stop there it can get even better! When you are in the previous exercise where everyone is in two lines, why should your focus be any different? Go back even farther. When in the circle, can that same mentality be applied as well? Of course and it should be. As we repetitively swing the Bokken we should have that same focus.

How? 

Visualize.

Always be looking at something where you are hitting. Don't get in the habit of staring at targets but use your vision to focus on that spot. See a Kote target in the air as you practice that hit. As you do Sho Men forward and backwards see yourself attacking the other side and making that hit. Carry this all the way through. I especially see this in Kirikaeshi. Most people forget that the actual target is the Yokomen (Just above the temples but to either side of the center line). And instead they focus on hitting the receiving person's Shinai. The receiving side is even worse. Everyone (that I've ever seen, until told otherwise) makes the blocks of the Yokomens as a passive affair without any focus or goes to the other extreme and tries to smash the Yokomen attempting strikes.

The receiving person has an opportunity to practice reading the speed of strikes since they know exactly where they are going. Also timely blocking. You don't have to throw your shinai out there well in advance. Wait a bit and gauge the swing and then actively throw the block. See each as an attack and you have to stop it. Of course your foot work should feel like its reacting to the others position changes as well and not a dance.

I've said this all in a matter of fact attitude but the truth is, the above is very hard to do consistently. And it takes a lot of time and practice. Many think the attitude of going in and sacrificing yourself for your master is the attitude to take. No, go in focused. Go in with a resolution that you are going to handle the challenge facing you but that you need to stick around after the engagement. What good are  you to yourself, your family or those that your are trying to protect if you valiantly die defeating the bad guy if he has friends waiting in the side lines to take over? While not traditional Kendo, this can become more obvious if you try two against one training. Person who is the one should be the most senior or an advanced student. But that's another discussion......

 But think it over and let me know what you think.


John Drakey


PS: Practice ends with more formality...

[TimberwolfCY]

This is an ideal applied (at least, theoretically) in classical fencing.  The idea is to "hit without being hit."  Everything is supposed to end with only one touch, on the attacker or defender, but not both.  I'm not quite sure how strictly this is followed/enforced in classical fencing, as I am an Olympic/sport fencer, but I think the idea deserves strong consideration.  If one is truly thinking about how to avoid being killed or injured, it fosters a new kind of fencing.  In epee fencing, up until only a few decades ago, all epee in tournaments was done to only one touch.  If both got touches, both lost.  There are reports of some one-touch epee bouts lasting well over an hour, because neither wanted to make any "fatal" mistake.  Nowadays, epee has maximum score like foil and saber do, first to 15 touches win, and if there is a simultaneous touch (both fencers hit each other at almost the exact same time) than BOTH get the point.  However, again, even in sport fencing, double-touches are avoided as much as possible, for the simple fact that if both get a touch and you're in the lead, you have failed to continue to open the gap, you have merely increased score.

There is also a lengthy discussion in Bushido Shoshinsu (sp? couldn't find my copy at the moment) about keeping death in mind at all times, in all places.  This isn't to say (as the author points out) that you should think that, since you could die at any moment, you should just give up in life; rather, quite the opposite: that you should always strive as hard as possible in everything you do, because you never know when the final moment will come.  Therefore, by keeping the concept of death in mind at all times, you will always be motivated to do your best.

Just my 2 cents.

[Max]

As to doing each segment of practice with different attitudes, I have no choice but to admit your observation is correct, as far as my own Kendo is concerned. The first part I feel a little awkward and have to transition into the frame of mind of "being at practice". Then I feel more comfortable. Putting on the bogu makes me tense, partly because I'm still not used to it and partly because I want to win when it comes to sparring. I've been reading "the 4 sicknesses", and it makes all kinds of sense, but putting it into practice is that much harder when I'm uncomfortable, out of breath and frustrated because I can't land a hit.

EDIT: Or listening to the sound of my tibia turning one way and my femur turning the other...